To understand the existence of these “unexpected” sinks, one must first look at the state of domestic life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this period, the concept of indoor plumbing was transitioning from an extravagant luxury reserved for the ultra-wealthy to a hallmark of the modern middle class. In the early days of this transition, the “full bathroom” as we know it—a single room containing a toilet, sink, and tub—was not yet the standardized layout. In fact, many historic homes were originally constructed with only one bathroom, almost always located on the upper floor near the sleeping quarters. This created a logistical nightmare for a society that was still deeply rooted in manual labor and outdoor activity.
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